Western men know they need to bring defense vs. Jacks

SCOTT HOLLAND

Thursday

Mar 1, 2018 at 6:30 PM

Matching up against South Dakota State in Sioux Falls is not exactly a dream proposition for any Summit League squad at the conference tournament. Of the nine previous league tournaments in Sioux Falls, the Jacks have won four titles, all coming in the last six seasons.

Matching up against South Dakota State in Sioux Falls is not exactly a dream proposition for any Summit League squad at the conference tournament. Of the nine previous league tournaments in Sioux Falls, the Jacks have won four titles, all coming in the last six seasons.

This season, SDSU is a favorite to walk away with their fifth title and if the Jacks do, it will be behind a high-flying offense. South Dakota State leads the league in points per game (85.3), free throws attempted and made (516-675), free throw percentage (76.4), three pointers made (332) and fewest turnovers per game (10.3). The Jacks are second in three-point field goal percentage (40.7) and fourth in field goal percentage (47.4).

“It’s kind of hard to cover this team, they’re a dual threat on the perimeter and inside,” WIU center and Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, Brandon Gilbeck said. “They can draw me out of the lane, then have guards who can attack.

“For me, I have to know I can’t try to block everything because I don’t want to pick up dumb fouls. The longer I can stay in the game, the better.”

The Jacks are led by conference MVP Mike Daum. Gilbeck will draw the difficult assignment of covering Daum, who has proven he can beat teams from 25 feet away from the basket or from two feet from the rim.

Daum is also surrounded by a bevy of players who can shoot from the perimeter but also get to the basket.

“We got to fly around because they’re going to get good looks,” WIU’s Dalan Ancrum said. “They’re a good team, everyone can attack the rim, even Daum. He’s a big guy but he starts at the three-point line, takes one dribble and he’s at the bucket. We have to stick to our defensive principles.”

In the two games vs. SDSU this season, the Leathernecks have allowed an average of 90 points per contest.

“For the most part, we need to look at their schemes and what they did offensively the last time we played them and look for areas we need to adjust and do things differently,” WIU coach Billy Wright said. “In terms of Daum, when he’s down low we have to mix up where our double team comes from and when he’s on the perimeter with the ball screen, we have to decide when we’ll switch to a smaller guard who can stay in front of him.

“But at the end of the day, we have to stay solid in our concepts and make them work for everything. They’re very good at getting easy buckets in transition.”

And because of that, Gilbeck will certainly be at the center of the gameplan. Not only will the big man draw the assignment of Daum, he’ll also need to protect the paint, rim and glass against a South Dakota State team that aggressively goes to the basket with the ball and the offensive glass on missed shots.

“One thing the coaches have talked to me about the last couple games is to not try to go for everything,” Gilbeck said. “When I leave my guy to try to block a shot, either I get it, or if I don’t, my guy gets the rebound and put back.

“They get a lot of offensive rebounds, so that’s something I have to keep in mind.”

And while defense may be Western’s most direct path to victory, the Leathernecks also know they may have to be willing to get in a shootout with the Jacks, who allow an average of 74 points per game.

“I think offensively we know we have to be efficient,” freshman Kobe Webster said. “We know we can make shots, we know we’ll get open looks, so it can be done.

“But defensively we have to stick to the scouting report and do what we need to do to stop their guys.”

Reach Scott Holland via email at sholland@McDonoughVoice.com and follow him on Twitter @hottscolland81.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Communities

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The McDonough County Voice ~ 26 W. Side Square, Macomb, IL 61455 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service